EU Welcomes Yemen Ceasefire

The European Union welcomed Monday the 48-hour ceasefire in Yemen “as an initial step in the right direction.” A statement by the spokesperson for EU High Representative Federica Mogherini called on all parties to urgently agree on ceasefire’s unconditional extension and to commit to unhindered access for humanitarian supplies and personnel to all parts of Yemen and pave way to resumption of talks on basis of Road Map presented by UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmad. “We have seen in the past that the breakdown of ceasefires leads only to further killing and suffering for the civilian population, to the advantage of no-one. The EU therefore urges all the warring parties to make the necessary compromises and commitments in the interest of alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people,” it said. The EU pledged its full support to the ongoing efforts to resume the UN-led peace negotiations and remains ready to contribute to a negotiated settlement.